by Bryce Edwards

22 May 2007

SiCKO - arguing for a society based on need not profit

Michael Moore is having another go at the US Government and ruling class with his new film SiCKO. This time he’s shinning the light on the profit-driven health system in the US. From the sound of reviews, Moore has built a clear, powerful and disturbing critique of privatised health. Ultimately Moore says he’s arguing for a health system where care ‘doesn't depend on your premiums, it depends on your needs’, which is nicely reminiscent of Marx’s ideal of a society which is structured along the lines of ‘From each according to their means, to each according to their needs’. Hopefully Moore has this sort of thing in mind too. As he says himself to Reuters, the film ‘was more about the US government and society at large than it was about health’, and 'I only use healthcare as the vehicle through which to explore a much larger issue.' He also points out that 'It is not a Democrat film…. They have been bought too.' From reading early reviews it sounds like the film has Moore’s usual sarcasm, humour and witty commentary. But where is NZ’s Michael Moore? Will NZers see this film and realise that our own health system has shifted year-by-year under Labour and National towards this sickening model.You can view the promo posters for the film: This might hurt a little and What seems to be the problem?See the Guardian first review of the film: Moore's Sicko stunt is brilliant and Oh yes, he's got an agenda. Also see: Moore defies US ban threat and Moore film attacks US health care

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SiCKO - arguing for a society based on need not profit

Michael Moore is having another go at the US Government and ruling class with his new film SiCKO. This time he’s shinning the light on the profit-driven health system in the US. From the sound of reviews, Moore has built a clear, powerful and disturbing critique of privatised health. Ultimately Moore says he’s arguing for a health system where care ‘doesn't depend on your premiums, it depends on your needs’, which is nicely reminiscent of Marx’s ideal of a society which is structured along the lines of ‘From each according to their means, to each according to their needs’. Hopefully Moore has this sort of thing in mind too. As he says himself to Reuters, the film ‘was more about the US government and society at large than it was about health’, and 'I only use healthcare as the vehicle through which to explore a much larger issue.' He also points out that 'It is not a Democrat film…. They have been bought too.' From reading early reviews it sounds like the film has Moore’s usual sarcasm, humour and witty commentary. But where is NZ’s Michael Moore? Will NZers see this film and realise that our own health system has shifted year-by-year under Labour and National towards this sickening model.You can view the promo posters for the film: This might hurt a little and What seems to be the problem?See the Guardian first review of the film: Moore's Sicko stunt is brilliant and Oh yes, he's got an agenda. Also see: Moore defies US ban threat and Moore film attacks US health care